( He spots his friend at the other side of the bar, waiting patiently. ,b>)
How much later, exactly? After the crowds die down or after we're closed for the evening. She's welcome. ( And because the manage he hired never has enough fun. ) You going to stay out here for the big ball drop?
[Malina raises a hand to wave Toby down, before shrugging.]
It's chaos out here, but maybe. Might be a good time to come grab a drink.
[Maybe get a kiss at midnight, if things go her way. But that's a conversation for a later time. There's still an hour left, and technically she's still on the clock.]
( He's not a great read on others when it comes to him, so he's missed if there's a level of jealousy here. He just thinks she's working, stressed, and Toby's one more body. But, the smirk he slips her is not friendly in any way, before he settles for slightly professional as Toby approaches. )
Sleeping with the employees, and only one lass. You know I left all that behind in the 2000's.
( Me Too gained traction, and while he was not Harvey Weinstein, he still understood power dynamics. So, lo, it is a tad inappropriate, she could step on him if she wanted and he knows it.
[She doesn't want to bring up work, but she knows she'll have to. She tries to give him as much notice as she can. Give him a chance to get his human life in order before he has to go live his Fae one.]
New Year's Eve in New York is always a sight to see.
You have a tolerance as high as mine, I wouldn't rise to that challenge right before midnight on New Years Eve.
( He finishes the rest of his drink and signals his bartender for two more, pointing at the two of them. One drink won't get her drunk. But, unimpressed, he sits back again, leaning against the small surface of bar behind him. )
[Toby nods, just once, playing with the rim of the drink as it's set in front of her. Alcohol doesn't really do much for her, hasn't in a long time, but she can socially drink.]
Not immediately. There's still paperwork that needs to be filed and a summons that need to be delivered but ... perhaps in about six months.
Ain't that family. Dick you over even when long gone or a complete mystery.
( He knows there are things Toby can't tell him. Can't physically speak out loud. Ancient, Fae magic. Go figure. His Fae power mostly lies within for his blackouts, but if it gets bad enough, he can go on the defensive and send someone flying. Sometimes, he can pick up on other people's thoughts. But, alcohol drowns them out. )
[Curse breaker, king breaker, her reputation has always been about solving problems the Fae don't want solved. And as much as she isn't sure who will be left behind when she does - whether it will be Ford or Faron - whoever that person is deserves to have all of their life.]
No offense, but you've been feeding me the same line. Not that I don't believe. I've just stopped hoping. Surrendered myself to the family name.
( And legacy. And, yes, when he says it out loud: curse. If only he were able to speak it out loud to anyone but Toby, to explain things besides, "I lose track of time" or "Get in moods," or "Wanderlust," which is his worst excuse he lost a couple he was seeing at the time over that.
Malina is a capable manager, maybe his best over time. He doesn't worry about his business when he does go off. But, now that things feel more serious. There's more to lose.
He hates that a breakup is an inevitability in his eyes. She deserves more. )
Something that's been going on this long isn't going to be easy to crack.
[Believing and hoping are usually the same thing, but she understands what he's saying. She moves to rest a hand on his arm, giving it a soft squeeze.]
And it's not a line.
[But she won't push any further. At least not right now.
Malina, down the bar, can't exactly hear what's being said, but she can read the body language. She doesn't like to think of herself as a jealous person but, well ... every time Toby shows up, her boyfriend disappears for a while. There has to be something there, but she's trying to trust.
( He knows, his gaze says. It's a promise. It's just one she's tried to keep up for longer than Malina has been an adult and much longer than Malina has worked for him. He has told her time and again, Toby is his assistant, and, yes, friend. But nothing more.
Even if he wanted to cross the line, he actually couldn't. It's ancient. It keeps everyone in their place and ensures he, Toby, the arbitration - it all remains objective. There could be no sexual attraction and no deeper romantic intimacy. It doesn't mean he can't not trust her with his life.
She is the first minder of his that he believes. She sees what happens generationally. She sees both sides. The other side of all that blank, lost time.
She's the first person that cares. The others just did their jobs.
His last one was assassinated before Toby found him.
The ball drops unceremoniously, with a loud countdown from the guests and shared kisses and pecks. He hesitates, then very briefly kisses her cheek. )
( he sighs and lets the rest of his drink sit, turning the glass in a circle against the bar. making a nice ring his bartender will have to clean at close.
looking up, he sees the face of a woman who's getting impatient. not with the job, but with the man behind it. )
Aunt Claire has her eye on another property in Battle Creek, Michigan. ( And because of that, his face already tells the story. To Malina, he and eccentric but exacting aunt Claire share an assistant. It's "easier" and he's tried time and again to find her other candidates. But, she insists what she needs done is paltry compared to what he needs.
Every now and again, she's his excuse because it's her money backing him. ) She wants me to go ahead next week. Get eyes on it. It's going to be "slow" here next month, so she's turning her eyes to what's next. Didn't even call me personally.
( it's at the end of the day and he'd just gotten back earlier this month so he hopes it lands how it needs. but as he gets advantages on deception he drops a (nat 20) )
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How much later, exactly? After the crowds die down or after we're closed for the evening. She's welcome. ( And because the manage he hired never has enough fun. ) You going to stay out here for the big ball drop?
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It's chaos out here, but maybe. Might be a good time to come grab a drink.
[Maybe get a kiss at midnight, if things go her way. But that's a conversation for a later time. There's still an hour left, and technically she's still on the clock.]
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( He's not a great read on others when it comes to him, so he's missed if there's a level of jealousy here. He just thinks she's working, stressed, and Toby's one more body. But, the smirk he slips her is not friendly in any way, before he settles for slightly professional as Toby approaches. )
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Toby slides up as she leaves, settling on the opposite school he indicated, and raising an eyebrow as she goes.]
Still flirting with the employees, I see?
[She's teasing. She knows he only flirts with one employee.]
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( Me Too gained traction, and while he was not Harvey Weinstein, he still understood power dynamics. So, lo, it is a tad inappropriate, she could step on him if she wanted and he knows it.
And liked it. )
Here to celebrate the new year, Tobe?
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[She doesn't want to bring up work, but she knows she'll have to. She tries to give him as much notice as she can. Give him a chance to get his human life in order before he has to go live his Fae one.]
New Year's Eve in New York is always a sight to see.
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( He's never liked spectacle. It's one thing to have a crowd in a bar. It's another to have several miles of freezing crowds in the street. )
Should we find someone for you to kiss at midnight?
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[She doesn't want to spend the start of the new year kissing a stranger, thanks.]
I'm not drunk enough for kissing strangers in public.
[And then she holds up a finger.]
That was not a suggestion to get me drunk.
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( He finishes the rest of his drink and signals his bartender for two more, pointing at the two of them. One drink won't get her drunk. But, unimpressed, he sits back again, leaning against the small surface of bar behind him. )
This must be about business.
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Not immediately. There's still paperwork that needs to be filed and a summons that need to be delivered but ... perhaps in about six months.
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( Because the last one didn't do great, but luckily, the assignment was short-lived. Rules were broken and it was a blood bath.
Not that he knows this on the surface. )
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[She's working on it, but there's only so many great aunts and uncles you can create funerals for.]
It would be easier if you had a second location in like ... Chicago, or something.
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( He leans in, every bit the conspirator. )
Wanna partner?
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[She shrugs.]
I'm just saying if there's another location it makes it easier for you to disappear at the drop of a hat.
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( Like one of those old improv shows. )
Might lose 'er for good eventually. ( But. ) That gives me a where, though. Past two times. Could be circling that location.
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Okay. I'll talk to Helene, at least have her as a backstop.
[She'll drop by Battle Creek later. But on another note.]
I wish you could too. Life would be a lot easier all around.
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( He knows there are things Toby can't tell him. Can't physically speak out loud. Ancient, Fae magic. Go figure. His Fae power mostly lies within for his blackouts, but if it gets bad enough, he can go on the defensive and send someone flying. Sometimes, he can pick up on other people's thoughts. But, alcohol drowns them out. )
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[Curse breaker, king breaker, her reputation has always been about solving problems the Fae don't want solved. And as much as she isn't sure who will be left behind when she does - whether it will be Ford or Faron - whoever that person is deserves to have all of their life.]
It's all out there. I just have to find it.
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( And legacy. And, yes, when he says it out loud: curse. If only he were able to speak it out loud to anyone but Toby, to explain things besides, "I lose track of time" or "Get in moods," or "Wanderlust," which is his worst excuse he lost a couple he was seeing at the time over that.
Malina is a capable manager, maybe his best over time. He doesn't worry about his business when he does go off. But, now that things feel more serious. There's more to lose.
He hates that a breakup is an inevitability in his eyes. She deserves more. )
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[Believing and hoping are usually the same thing, but she understands what he's saying. She moves to rest a hand on his arm, giving it a soft squeeze.]
And it's not a line.
[But she won't push any further. At least not right now.
Malina, down the bar, can't exactly hear what's being said, but she can read the body language. She doesn't like to think of herself as a jealous person but, well ... every time Toby shows up, her boyfriend disappears for a while. There has to be something there, but she's trying to trust.
Even if it isn't what comes naturally.]
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Even if he wanted to cross the line, he actually couldn't. It's ancient. It keeps everyone in their place and ensures he, Toby, the arbitration - it all remains objective. There could be no sexual attraction and no deeper romantic intimacy. It doesn't mean he can't not trust her with his life.
She is the first minder of his that he believes. She sees what happens generationally. She sees both sides. The other side of all that blank, lost time.
She's the first person that cares. The others just did their jobs.
His last one was assassinated before Toby found him.
The ball drops unceremoniously, with a loud countdown from the guests and shared kisses and pecks. He hesitates, then very briefly kisses her cheek. )
Happy New Year, Toby.
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Malina takes a breath, before making her way over, and leaning over the bar.]
Everything okay with Toby?
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looking up, he sees the face of a woman who's getting impatient. not with the job, but with the man behind it. )
Aunt Claire has her eye on another property in Battle Creek, Michigan. ( And because of that, his face already tells the story. To Malina, he and eccentric but exacting aunt Claire share an assistant. It's "easier" and he's tried time and again to find her other candidates. But, she insists what she needs done is paltry compared to what he needs.
Every now and again, she's his excuse because it's her money backing him. ) She wants me to go ahead next week. Get eyes on it. It's going to be "slow" here next month, so she's turning her eyes to what's next. Didn't even call me personally.
( it's at the end of the day and he'd just gotten back earlier this month so he hopes it lands how it needs. but as he gets advantages on deception he drops a (nat 20) )
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You would think that would be easier. Unless they're screwing over Toby by not paying her for all this travel she's doing.
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Toby is on a salary and her travel is taken care of. Aunt Claire is as old world as they come. Very, I beckon from on high, you come.
( She's why Malina also has an enviable salary. )
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